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Victim Charter

The Victim Charter sets out how victims of crime should be treated and what advice, support and practical information they can expect to receive. A bereaved family member, family member or representative (in certain circumstances), and a parent on behalf of or instead of a child.

Support and information

You should:

be treated in a courteous, dignified, respectful, sensitive, tailored, professional and non-discriminatory way

have service providers take appropriate measures to help you understand what they are telling you and make sure they understand what you are telling them

have access to free translation or interpretation if asked for and you do not speak or understand English

bring someone of your choice to support you when you meet service providers, unless this would not be in your best interest or could affect the case

be referred to, and have access to, free of charge confidential services (including specialist services) that can help you, based on your needs – support services

have your needs assessed to identify if you need extra help to give evidence to the police or at court

deal with people who are trained appropriately in contact with victims

a range of services and assistance, if you live in another EU country

If you do not speak or understand English you should be given access to free translation or interpretation if asked for. This includes being given an acknowledgement of the crime, receiving information about the date, time and location of key court hearings, giving evidence and receiving information about the outcome of the trial.

You should receive information on:

what to expect from the criminal justice system

crime reference details

help and support available to you (including information on specialist support services)

decisions not to continue with or end an investigation

a decision not to prosecute someone

the offences for which the accused is being prosecuted

the date, time and location of key court hearings (trial, sentence and appeal);

the outcome of relevant bail hearings (where this directly affects you) and the trial;

Investigation

be interviewed by the police as few times as possible – only where necessary for the investigations – and to have someone of your choice with you (unless this would hinder the police investigation)

be told what is happening, at times agreed with the police, where the police are investigating the crime

be told whether a suspect is to be prosecuted or not and to have a decision not to prosecute that person reviewed, where you ask for this

get property that you own back as soon as possible, if it is taken as evidence, unless it is needed for the investigation or court proceedings or its return would be an offence

apply for compensation, if you are a victim of a violent crime (within two years of the incident causing the injury)

Going to court

Should you be asked to go to court, you should:

receive information on the date, time and location of key court hearings (trial, sentence and appeal)

be given the opportunity to make a written statement to the court about how a crime has affected you, where the case is to go to court

discuss any needs you have with your case officer in the Victim and Witness Care Unit and be referred to a relevant victim support service provider, if appropriate, who can advise you of services (including specialise services)

ask for a court familiarisation visit before the case is heard, to enter the building through a different entrance from the suspect and to sit in a separate waiting area, where possible

be told if you have to give evidence at court and receive information to help you prepare for this

be protected from contact with the alleged offender at court, where possible

Steps to protect you

In some cases, as a victim of a crime, you may be able to take part in a meeting that brings you together with the person responsible for the crime. If this happens, steps should be taken to protect you.

When the offender is released

You can ask to be told when the offender leaves custody or hospital or will be supervised as part of their sentence. You should also be told about the relevant victim information release scheme. This applies to sentences of six months or more.

If you have any concerns

You should raise your concerns with a service provider or an independent body if you are not happy with the service provided or don’t think your entitlements under the Charter have been met by service providers.

You can find the full Victim Charter document, a summary version, an easy-read version and alternative language versions at the link below.